International overnight tourist numbers within Destination Germany are continuing to rise according to the latest figures from the German Federal Bureau of Statistics.

Between January and June this year, the bureau has recorded over 30.9 million overnight stays in accommodation establishments of ten beds or more.

This represents an increase of 3.2 per cent compared to the previous year.

“These positive first-half numbers are continuing, and after three record years in a row, the signs are also pointing to growth for 2013 as a whole – this is a great success for Destination Germany,” enthused Ernst Burgbacher, representative of the Federal Government for business and tourism.

The UK market in particular reports a steady increase of 7.5 per cent in overnight stays compared to the same period last year and remains a highly important target sector for Germany, in the top three within Europe. 

With 2.1 million overnight stays, a strong June and an even stronger first half of 2013, the rest of this year is expected to stay positive.

Visitors to Germany in 2013 have been celebrating both the 200th anniversary of the Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales and Richard Wagner; but there are plenty more events continuing throughout the year.